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Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Renkus-Heinz Appoints First Factory Authorized Commissioning Specialists

Program extends the community of specialists qualified to commission ICONYX and RHAON equipped audio installations

Renkus-Heinz has named its first factory-authorized commissioning specialists, appointed as part of a program to extend the community of specialists qualified to commission Renkus-Heinz ICONYX and RHAON equipped audio installations.

Sam Berkow, Adam Shulman and Steve Sockey of SIA Acoustics, Stephen Solberg and Robert Ledo of CFA Consulting, Bruce Coffman of Touch Thirty Three Consulting, and James Brawley of James Brawley and Associates are the appointed specialists.

The announcement follows an intensive two-day training session at the firm’s Foothill Ranch, California, factory, part of which was spent on-site at the nearby ICONYX-equipped San Juan Capistrano Mission Basilica.

David Rahn, US National Sales Manager, explains: “Our in-house system commissioning program has become very popular with ICONYX installers, and a lot of other integrators have been using it as well, perhaps to fine tune a RHAON network or to optimize system performance.

“We’ve found this an excellent way of reaching out to our customers and learning more about their installations, and we have been increasingly supporting it with key engineering and application resources from the factory.

“Since more and more consultants are writing specs for our equipment, and given that this year we will have more ICONYX, IC LIVE and RHAON projects than ever, we anticipate a strong growth in demand for these services.

“The answer was to make these techniques available to our trusted regional consultants, empowering them to commission these systems on our behalf, and the program has been rolled out very successfully. We will, of course, continue to provide factory commissioning for complex projects, while these new resources will make the services available to even more customers.”

Renkus-Heinz Website

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QSC Audio Components A Great Fit In New System Serving Barnum Hall

"QSC ILA brought the cost down and made the technology much more accessible, all while retaining the sound quality, coverage and power of a touring system." - Joe Byrne, Pro Sound

Barnum Hall, a beautiful Art Deco-style performance hall built in the late 1930s on the campus of Santa Monica High School, recently underwent an extensive restoration that has rejuvenated the 25,980 square-foot structure, including a new sound system featuring QSC Audio components that were implemented with sensitive awareness to maintaining the historic nature of the architectural design.

“Initially the project went to bid on what was described as a very strict budget,” recalls Joe Byrne from the North Hollywood, California offices of Pro Sound. “Because of the budget limitations, I specified an analog system with a central cluster.”

One of two parties vying for the contract, Byrne and Pro Sound ultimately came in slightly under-budget, while the competitor went considerably over. Considering the difference between the two and what was provided by each, the client came back and asked Pro Sound to rebid the job, this time with a larger purse to work with.

“The budget did indeed grow the second time around,” Byrne relates. “But the client was asking for significantly more in return. They wanted the system to be stereo, a digital console, and a communications system to facilitate production needs. It was a showcase room, and the sound system had to reflect that same character, all while remaining unobtrusive within the environment.”

An inspiring setting built for both students and the community at large, Barnum Hall plays host to concerts, plays, musicals, and more. Bound by a budget that was indeed larger, but now had to perform with greater vigor on a number of levels, Byrne once again sharpened his pencil and set about creating another design.

While a line array seemed logical for the space, it wasn’t until Byrne’s discovery of QSC’s ILA (Installation Line Array) components that such technology became economically viable.

“When we were in the second design phase of the Barnum Hall project, most line array systems were built for touring applications,” Byrne explains. “Touring systems have to be extra rugged, and require expensive suspension hardware. As a result, the price of most line arrays was out of reach of a budget like we had at Barnum Hall.

“QSC’s ILA system, however, uses molded enclosures and a simplified rigging design built for installation applications. ILA brought the cost down and made the technology much more accessible, all while retaining the sound quality, coverage and power of a touring system.”

As utilized in Barnum Hall, seven full-range, WL2082-i ILA Series enclosures are flown left and right of the proscenium, atop which resides a single WL115-sw subwoofer on each side. Using QSC power including a PowerLight 4.0 and CX1102 and CX702 amplifiers, the stereo arrays are tri-amped and operate in conjunction with QSC BASIS 904zz processing.

“We considered self-powered loudspeakers for the hall, but the inherent problem with going that route is that you have to bring power to all the loudspeakers,” Byrne says, providing more backstory on the build. “That simply wasn’t cost-effective here. “By choosing ILA, we were able to work with one single supplier for all of our needs right from the output of the console to the loudspeakers. Everything is linked via dataports as well, a fact which allows us to maintain, troubleshoot, and make system changes remotely if we want to, plus create security features to prevent unauthorized tampering.”

In keeping with the client’s request, a Yamaha M7CL console was installed at the front of house mix position. Using CX302 and CX902 amplifiers, under-balcony sound reinforcement is managed by another pair of WL2082-i ILA Series cabinets. A pair of groundstacked QSCMD-S218 ModularDesign Series subwoofers also chosen from the QSC catalog complements the entire system with added low frequency response. Processing for both the under balcony enclosures and the MD subs is managed by a second BASIS unit, this time a model 902zz.

Using a microphone placed in various areas around the room, Smaart was used to test phase cancellation, intelligibility, overall EQ, and to set delay times for the underbalcony cabinets. Byrne also gives engineering credit to QSC’s Shawn Watts and Scott Kalarchik for their assistance with EASE modeling and BASIS programming, and readily admits he’d be totally remiss if he failed to thank his right-hand man on the job, Chris Anderson.

“There were only two of us doing the actual install,” he notes. “With the compact and lightweight ILA cabinets and dataport input and outputs, it was really easy to hook everything up once the wiring infrastructure was in place. Once we were finished, the client was really happy with the aesthetics and overall sound.

“Even with the additional money, I had to cut out some wireless mics and other items to stay within the budget, but bottom-line, they got the performance they wanted, a nice selection of hardwired mics, professional Whirlwind snake system with a transformer-isolated split onstage, and everything is digital. This was the time and definitely the place where we were able to do more with less.”

QSC Audio Website

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JBL VERTEC Line Arrays And Grupo Zonico Support KISS In Caracas

"The performance of our new VT4889-1 system for the KISS concert was excellent, and both the system engineer and FOH mix engineer for the band were satisfied." - Hugo Morillo of Grupo Zonico

Regional concert sound rental provider Grupo Zonico supplied the audio system, including JBL Professional VERTEC line arrays, for a recent concert featuring legendary rock band KISS in Caracas, Venezuela that was a stop on the “KISS 35 Alive World Tour.”

The show was staged at the 10,000-seat Estacionamiento de la Rinconada outdoor venue in Caracas, with Grupo Zonico, based in Edo Miranda, Venezuela, supplying audio equipment as specified by US-based Clair Global, which is currently handling worldwide sound requirements for KISS, including the Latin American tour leg.

Grupo Zonico first added VERTEC to its rental inventory in 2006 with a purchase of 16 VT4888 midsize line array elements.

“We originally chose JBL VERTEC because it is the most versatile, powerful, lightweight and highest-performing system available in the tour sound market, with exceptional sound quality,” explained Hugo Morillo, Grupo Zonico’s Director. “Since that time, more customers began to rely on our company and we required larger systems for our projects.  We started to look for a second system, more powerful for bigger venues and one that would fulfill the needs of the jobs we were doing in the Venezuelan market.

“The performance of our new VT4889-1 system for the KISS concert was excellent, and both the system engineer and FOH mix engineer for the band were satisfied. We were very pleased, as VERTEC proved once again that it has the characteristics we require for use on such demanding entertainment events.”

For KISS, Grupo Zonico provided a total of 32 JBL VT4889-1 full size line array elements for the main system. Eight VT4888DP powered midsize line array elements were used as supplemental front fill speakers, while VT4887ADP powered compact line arrays were in use for onstage side fill monitors.

“Hugo Morillo and his entire team at Grupo Zonico are an excellent example of how the correct blend of staff, professional skills and equipment can provide veteran international-class acts with the top-tier tour sound performance they have come to expect in larger entertainment-industry markets, regardless of where the show is scheduled to take place,” observed David Scheirman, Vice President, Tour Sound for JBL Professional.

Grupo Zonico’s JBL VERTEC system is powered by Crown I-Tech power amplifiers, and signal processing is achieved through the dbx 4800 Loudspeaker Management System loaded with JBL’s new V4 DSP presets. Harman Professional’s HiQnet System Architect software is used for remote control and monitoring. The company is supported and serviced by MEDIA CA, distributor for Harman Professional products in Venezuela.

JBL Professional Website
Harman Professional Website

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WFX California Officially Opens Wednesday; Registration Still Open

The show will present a myriad of educational and networking opportunities

WFX California officially opens on Wednesday, May13, in Long Beach, California, and there is still time to register for the show.

Highlights include:
—Inspiring Keynote presentations from Larry Osborne, Dave Gibbons, John Ortberg and top tech directors from across the nation
—Great chances to meet other church leaders at our networking events - members of over 250 churches will be there - go to one or all: Early Bird Breakfasts, Small Group Networking, WFX After Hours Lounge, Dessert Welcome Reception and Birds of a Feather Roundtable Discussions
—More than 50 Conference Sessions teach you about facilities planning, design and renovation, finance and fundraising, A/V and lighting technologies, facilities operations and energy management and digital church strategies
—100+ exhibitors offering products just for churches, technologies, and solutions that will enhance your worship environment and improve your ministry
—Panel of social media gurus to explain how applications like Twitter and Facebook can further ministries at the New Social Media Lounge
—Church Visionaries will connect with Pastors of all levels at during the Pastors Leadership Lunch Series
—Free Exhibitor Offered Training Classes to teach the ins-and-out of specific products and services.
—Hands-on Tech Training opportunities for audio, video and lighting technologies

For information and to register, go to http://www.wfxweb.com

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Denon Professional DN-V210 DVD Players Selected For Classroom Use At University Of Notre Dame

40 DN-V210s have been installed to serve multiple lecture halls and departments

Denon Professional has announced that 40 of its DN-V210 professional DVD players have been selected for installation at a variety of locations on the University of Notre Dame, where they will provide DVD playback for multiple programs and departments in various classrooms and lecture halls.

As part of a technology upgrade spanning the university’s campus, the units were chosen for their dependable playback, intuitive operation and rugged, industrial construction. Granger, Indiana-based Vista AV Integration handled the selection of the DN-V210s and any subsequent product support or service, in coordination with Denon Professional.

“We made a suggestion to use Denon, and the University went with what we recommended,” stated Jim Hevel of Vista AV Integration. “Selecting the DN-V210 was an easy decision to make. We like the ruggedness and simple controls, and it’s designed for commercial use where the unit might be on for days at a time.”

As they will be the primary method of DVD playback in classroom situations, the DN-V210s will serve such diverse educational applications as lecture features, lesson enhancements and class projects.

Hevel added, “Notre Dame of course has a stellar reputation for its academic programs, and Vista AV understands what kind of gear schools need. We like to recommend simple and reliable equipment that performs well in educational environments, and that is exactly what the Denon DN-V210 provides.”

The DN-V210 Professional DVD Player is equipped with the standard functions of most DVD Players and includes advanced functions required by professional applications, such as High Definition Multimedia Interface capability (HDMI), Defeatable On-screen Icons, User-definable Wallpaper, NTSC/PAL Conversion, Auto Play and various Repeat modes.

Denon/D & M Professional Website

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Il Divo Tours Around The World With Meyer Sound & Capital Sound

As Capital Sound’s Paul Timmins explains, the system will accompany Il Divo across three continents on more than 100 show dates

After six years, six albums and hundreds of tour dates, Il Divo has made remarkable progress in bringing opera to the mainstream, with several number-one releases backed up by performances with Barbra Streisand, Céline Dion and Toni Braxton.

Now the quartet is back for another world tour, backed by a powerful system headed by Meyer Sound line arrays and loudspeakers provided by UK-based Capital Sound.

The system comprises left and right arrays of 18 MILO line array loudspeakers each, with side arrays of 12 MICA line array loudspeakers each and a center hang of six M’elodie line array loudspeakers, along with four UPA-1P loudspeakers for fills.

Low frequencies are covered by 12 700-HP subwoofers, and a Galileo loudspeaker system with three Galileo 616 processors provides system drive and processing.

As Capital Sound’s Paul Timmins explains, the system will accompany Il Divo across three continents on more than 100 show dates.

“Capital Sound has worked with the band on their earlier tours, providing sound for their European shows,” Timmins says. “But this time around they’ve asked us to cover the full tour. The consistency factor is quite important for them, and by carrying the Meyer Sound system throughout the tour they’re assured of great sound every night with no surprises.”

FOH engineer Chris Pyne relies on the Meyer Sound system and Galileo DSP to ease the time crunch of a jam-packed touring schedule. “We’re covering a lot of distance between cities, and on many days we’ve ended up with some very tight setup times,” says Pyne.

“The MILO and MICA line arrays are quick to hang and focus using MAPP Online Pro (acoustical prediction program), and between the SIM® 3 (audio analyzer) and our presets stored in the Galileo, we’re able to configure the system for each room without a lot of messing about.”

Meyer Sound Website

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Monday, May 11, 2009

Sensaphonics Taps Veteran Monitor Engineer Mike Adams As Director Of Touring Sales

Adams client list over the years ranges from heavy rock and pop to blues and soul, including such artists as Guns ‘N Roses, B.B. King, Kiss, Luther Vandross, Thin Lizzy and Black Sabbath

Sensaphonics has announced that veteran monitor engineer Mike Adams is joining the company as Director of Touring Sales, North America. Adams, whose recent tours include AC/DC, John Mayer and The Rolling Stones, will focus concentrate on meeting the IEM needs of major tours in the U.S. and Canada.

Asked what prompted his decision to leave the world of tour buses and backstage catering for a sales gig, Adams replied, “It was just time. I’ve been considering a move like this for awhile now, and when Sensaphonics offered me the opportunity, I took it as a sign. They are one of the coolest companies in the industry, with great products and service. I’ve always made it a point to work with the best, so this is a great fit for me.”

“We’re thrilled to be working with Mike Adams,” said Sensaphonics president and found Michael Santucci, AuD. “This is the guy who finally got Mick Jagger on ears for a full tour! He has been a huge supporter of our products over the years, and knows all the major players out there.

“Mike has helped us as a beta tester and provided valuable feedback on recent products like the 2MAX and 3D Active Ambient. We’ve couldn’t ask for a more knowledgeable and well-connected engineer to get the word out on Sensaphonics.”

Over the years, Adams has helped a wide range of artists make the transition to in-ear monitoring, providing him with first-hand knowledge of all the major brands. “For any product on stage, the two things you need are great sound and reliability. When it comes to ears, I’ve used them all, but always come back to the Sensaphonics,” Adams said. “I consider them to be the most accurate reference. There’s no unnatural coloration to the sound, the reliability is great, and the fit and comfort are simply unmatched. The science behind Sensaphonics is amazing, the service is second to none, and bottom line, they just sound better.”

Mike Adams broke into touring sound nearly 30 years ago, getting his start doing sound at clubs in his native Colorado. After many years as an independent, he hooked up with Showco in the nineties, where he advanced under the tutelage of M.L. Procise and Howard Page. His client list over the years ranges from heavy rock and pop to blues and soul, including such artists as Guns ‘N Roses, B.B. King, Kiss, Luther Vandross, Thin Lizzy and Black Sabbath.

“I’ve been incredibly lucky in my years as a mixer,” Adams recalls. “I’ve have had the chance to learn from the best, on the best equipment, and work with some of the best bands around. So in my mind, this won’t be that big of a change. Except now I can sleep in my own bed.”

Sensaphonics Website

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Brussels Post Facility Sonicville Installs Country’s First Euphonix S5 Fusion

“We went for the S5 Fusion because it is an industry standard and we know that it will attract not only new customers but also reputed sound engineers who want to work on a Euphonix." - Patrick Hubart, Sonicville

Sonicville Sound and Music of Brussels, Belgium has just installed a 32-fader, Euphonix S5 Fusion with EuCon control of Pyramix and Soundscape DAWs in its premier 5.1 Mixing Theatre utilized for TV and film post production.

Located in an old renovated milk factory in the heart of Brussels, Sonicville provides a full array of audio services ranging from music composition and recording to ADR/Foley and TV and Film audio post production.

“We went for the S5 Fusion because it is an industry standard and we know that it will attract not only new customers but also reputed sound engineers who want to work on a Euphonix,” said Patrick Hubart, Chief Engineer at Sonicville.

Sonicvile has already completed a number of high profile projects on the S5 Fusion including the feature films SM Rechter by Eric Lamens, My Queen Caro by Dorothée Van Den Berge, the Flemish cinema versions of Nico and The Way To The Stars by Michael Hegner and Kari Juusonen, and the official Cannes 2009 selected Panique au Village by Stéphane Aubier and Vincent Patar.

Additionally they also completed television projects such as Smaak van de keyser/L’empereur Du gout for VRT and RTBF, and are currently working on the television series Ancienne Belgique.

The S5 Fusion is a complete professional mixing package that provides a fusion of Euphonix’ new processing DSP SuperCore engine with EuCon Hybrid, a technology that allows the console surface to control its own DSP channels as well as channels from multiple external DAWs simultaneously. T

he system is designed to handle HD surround audio post and music applications and is the only system available with both DSP and multiple DAW control.

At last month’s NAB show Euphonix unveiled new control surface options for the S5 Fusion that allows up to 56 faders, in 5ft, 7ft or 9ft frames, as well as the ability to add the 403 PEC/DIRECT film monitoring modules, and a 402 sub-master central assign module.

The S5 Fusion has a cost-effective and compact back end, combining the studio computer, DSP Cards with MADI I/O, EuCon Hybrid DAW control, machine control and monitoring all in one 6U rack mount unit. The new SP663 DSP cards increase the channel count to over 100 channels at 48KHz and the system can also be run at 96KHz with 50% less channels.

Frédéric Vard, Managing Director for Euphonix’ Belgian distributor Puretec-av, who presided over the sale and installation of the S5 Fusion, explained the significance of Sonicville. “This is the first Euphonix DSP based console sold in Belgium through a local distributor and this means Euphonix enters a new era in Belgium. Puretec-av has the credibility to build on this installation for future bigger sales in the broadcast market here in Belgium.”

Euphonix Website

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Ryan Tedder Records Lead Vocals With New TELEFUNKEN USA Ela M251 Microphone At Ante Up Audio

Ante Up Audio recently added two of the new Ela M251s in addition to other new TELEFUNKEN models including two M16s, two AK47s, an M80 and an RM-5C ribbon microphone

Ryan Tedder, lead singer of One Republic, recently recorded with the new TELEFUNKEN USA Ela M251 condenser microphone at Cleveland’s Ante Up Audio.

Ante Up Audio recently added two of the new Ela M251s in addition to other new TELEFUNKEN models including two M16s, two AK47s, an M80 and an RM-5C ribbon microphone.

“We love these new microphones,” says Michael Seifert, owner and chief engineer of the Cleveland facility. “If you go with the originals, they’re extremely expensive and they’re hit or miss. These new mics are built with the spirit of the past but with the reliability of new materials. With TELEFUNKEN USA you get the best of both worlds”.

Singer/songwriter Ryan Tedder debuted the successful band One Republic in 2007. The first single, “Dreaming Out Loud,” set a North American record for the most radio airplay in one week. In addition to worldwide success with his band, he has penned popular songs for Natasha Bedingfield, Jennifer Lopez, Hilary Duff, and Leona Lewis, among others.

While in Cleveland at Ante Up Audio, Tedder worked on new material for One Republic, as well as tracks for Kelly Clarkson’s new album.

“Ryan is very knowledgeable when it comes to microphones and has worked a lot with vintage Neumanns,” explains Seifert. “He knows what he likes and he pulled me aside to tell me how much he liked the new 251 from TELEFUNKEN. He found it very easy to get some good takes done and also complimented us on our studio, after working in over 40 studios around the world last year.”

Seifert is a multi-platinum award winning producer, engineer, and composer. The Ante Up Audio recording and production complex located in downtown Cleveland, Ohio, houses two studios, one equipped with a vintage 56-channel Neve console and one with a fully-restored SSL 4000 with Total Recall Automation.

A list of clients includes Tori Amos, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, Francis Ford Coppola, Fountains of Wayne, Chimaira, This Is A Shakedown, Gerald Levert, J. Mascis, Al Fatz, Robert Lockwood Jr., Chuck Mosley (Faith No More), American Greetings, MTV, Warner Brothers, Atlantic, Sony, Interscope, and numerous others.

“I couldn’t be happier with our new mics,” Seifert concludes. “They meet and even exceed the sonic quality and vibe of any vintage tube mic I’ve ever owned or used, and I don’t have to sift through a dozen or more vintage mics to find one that actually sounds like its supposed to.”

TELEFUNKEN USA Website

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Symetrix Keys System Serving Rare 120° At Hard Rock Hotel In Las Vegas

Rutherford Design of Northridge, California designed and installed the multi-input, triple-zone, 70-volt system

The new Rare 120° restaurant and lounge at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas features a high-fidelity sound system centered on a Symetrix ZoneMix 760 DSP, with convenient operator control via a Symetrix ARC-SWK wall panel.

The exotic wood finishes and brushed stainless steel of the room’s classy Warwick Stone-designed décor form a sonic stage for which the sound system is perfectly tailored. Rutherford Design of Northridge, California designed and installed the multi-input, triple-zone, 70-volt system.

Rutherford used five of the ZoneMix 760’s six outputs for the main dining room loudspeakers, the main dining room subwoofers, the lounge loudspeakers, the lounge subwoofers, and the bathrooms.

In addition, two loudspeakers in a cozy “VIP” dining room take their feed from the main dining room system with a simple attenuator to get the volume right. All of the loudspeakers come from Tannoy 70-volt and coaxial loudspeakers with support from additional Tannoy subwoofers both in the dining room and lounge.

Because of their proximity, all of the zones receive the same input source. The separate outputs and their associated equalization and dynamics processing really serve to tune each element of the system for maximal effect.

“We could have run everything together,” said Rutherford, “but the end result would have been noticeably less smooth. For example, the ZoneMix 760 contains a nine-band parametric EQ on each input and output. By separating the restaurant output from the lounge output, we were able to apply slightly different – and tremendously precise! – EQs to compensate for their different acoustics.”

To control the system, managers use a Symetrix ARC-SWK wall panel with push buttons, menu, and knob to simply select an input source and change its volume. Available inputs include a DJ system, an iPod dock, a DVD player, and a satellite receiver. “Training the staff on the new system took all of 30 seconds, literally,” said Rutherford.

Symetrix Audio Website

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Russian Sound Company Euroshow Purchases Large Inventory Of L-Acoustics Systems

“With the addition of KUDO and LA8 to our rental inventory, we now have a very flexible system that can be used for a concert one day, and at a major conference the next." - Denis Vasiliskov, Euroshow

One of Russia’s largest rental companies, St Petersburg-based Euroshow, has acquired an L-Acoustics inventory comprising 24 KUDO Line Source System cabinets and eight SB28 subwoofers, powered by LA8 amplified controllers housed in the recently-launched L-Acoustics LA-RAK.

Euroshow, which was established in 2002, is a multi discipline equipment rental company providing lighting, sound, audio visual, structures, rigging and power distribution for the Russian market. Last year the company supplied acts such as Metallica, Patricia Kaas, the Scorpions and 50 Cent on the Russian leg of their international tours.

“With the addition of KUDO and LA8 to our rental inventory, we now have a very flexible system that can be used for a concert one day, and at a major conference the next,” says Denis Vasiliskov, chief of Euroshow’s sound department. “The whole team are very pleased with the sound quality that KUDO and LA8 deliver, and are impressed by the LA8 presets.

“The LA8 means we are able to embrace the new L-Acoustics new K standard, and thrilled to become a K agent of the new L-Acoustics Rental Network.”

Launched on April 1 of this year, the L-Acoustics Rental Network establishes a new, universal “K” standard to ensure performance and compatibility of systems as well as the worldwide availability of systems, and the training of qualified technicians.

Four members of Euroshow’s staff took part in a three-day seminar in St Petersburg covering the KUDO system and the L-Acoustics 3D modeling software SOUNDVISION.

“I found the Euroshow team highly knowledgeable, and this training seminar will allow them to optimize their installation, testing, tuning and system design using SOUNDVISION,” says L-Acoustics Official Trainer Paul Van Baasbank, who conducted the seminar.

The completion of staff training, together with new KUDO/LA8 system inventory, means that Euroshow has fulfilled the requirements to join L-ACOUSTICS’ new K standard Rental Network charter. 

Upcoming Euroshow events include dates in St Petersburg and Moscow for Limp Bizkit and KoRn, and in the meantime the system is in constant use with Russian acts.

L-Acoustics Website

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METAlliance Certifies Prism ADA-8XR Converter & Orpheus Interface

Alongside platforms for research and development, standardization and education, METAlliance also works closely with manufacturers to evaluate and certify products that offer the highest levels of quality in the recording chain

Prism Sound has been granted Music Engineering & Technology Alliance (METAlliance) certification for two of its products, the ADA-8XR multi-channel AD/DA converter and the Orpheus multi-channel FireWire computer interface.

Established in 2005 by music producers and recording engineers Chuck Ainlay, Ed Cherney, Frank Filipetti, George Massenburg, Phil Ramone, Elliot Scheiner and Al Schmit, the METAlliance is a collaborative community that allows producers, engineers and audio technology manufacturers to work together to ensure the highest standards of audio production.

Graham Boswell, sales and marketing director of Prism Sound, says: “It is a great honor to receive METAlliance certification for one product, but to receive it for two is very special. We do not mass produce electronics. All our products are specialised performance products built to offer high quality, flexibility and ease of use to the most discerning in the industry.”

Alongside platforms for research and development, standardization and education, METAlliance also works closely with manufacturers to evaluate and certify products that offer the highest levels of quality in the recording chain. To date, only a handful of products have achieved this accolade.

Multi-Grammy winner Frank Filipetti used an Orpheus in conjunction with Cubase to record Carly Simon at her home in Martha’s Vineyard.  He remarked,” The Prism Orpheus is a unique, ergonomic, sonic marvel wrapped up in a 1U case.  If you’re looking for a one cable solution for your DAW, this is it.”

At Capitol Studios in Los Angeles, Al Schmitt has been using Prism Sound’s ADA-8XR converters to record Willy Nelson, Barbra Streisand and Diana Krall. “In my opinion,” he commented, “these are some of the best converters I have ever used. I love their transparency and the fact that they don’t color the sound at all. I also love the clarity of the audio I get when I use Prism Sound ADA-8XRs. Although I’m currently based in Los Angeles, I work at many studios around the world and wherever I go I try to make sure I have Prism Sound converters in the control room.”

METAlliance director Chuck Ainlay reports: “I’ve done some very extensive converter shootouts and in my opinion the hands down winner was the Prism ADA-8. Now that same quality is available in the smaller more affordable package of the Orpheus with some interesting and practical features.” George Massenburg added. “Prism converters raise the bar significantly for quality design and performance, reliability and flexibility.”

Prism Sound’s ADA-8XR is useful for producers, engineers and songwriters looking for quality results when recording, tracking & overdubbing, mixing to stereo or surround, mastering and monitoring. The ADA-8XR is appropriate for recording vocal, single instruments, drums or orchestra and is ideal for providing multiple outputs for external analog summing.

Introduced in 2007, Prism Sound’s Orpheus is a 1U, 19-inch rackmount 192kHz FireWire interface. The Orpheus offers a variety of features, including microphone pre-amps, customizable monitor control, various digital I/O and a complete foldback monitoring system.

The flexibility of Orpheus makes it suitable for musicians, engineers, producers and re-mixers who are working in a project studio environment using Mac or PC-based music software. When it is necessary to transfer projects to a commercial recording studio, it is simple to integrate the interface with large-scale systems such as Pro Tools or native setups.

Prism Sound Website
METAlliance Website

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Friday, May 08, 2009

Lectrosonics Introduces New HM Plug-On Wireless Transmitter

LCD interface and variable high-pass filter enhance operation

Lectrosonics has announced the introduction of the new HM Plug-on Transmitter, the latest in a long line of plug-on style transmitters developed by the company.

The new HM transmitter provides100 mW of RF power as well as several unique features, including an LCD with a membrane-switch control panel and audio level meter for ease of setting and operation.

It includes a user-selectable high-pass filter, enabling it to be employed for a wider range of applications from ENG (electronic news gathering) to audio system analysis when used as part of the Lectrosnics TM400 system. It is powered by two AA batteries, providing an operating time in excess of 12 hours with lithium cells.

The HM transmitter also employs Lectrosonics’ acclaimed Digital Hybrid Wireless technology for operation in its native, compandor-free hybrid mode, or in compatibility modes for Lectrosonics 200 Series, 100 Series, and IFB products along with receivers from two other manufacturers.

The body of the transmitter is meticulously machined from solid aluminum alloy to aerospace tolerances and finished in Teflon-impregnated nickel plating to ensure the extreme ruggedness and durability required in field production.

The HM also features a quick-locking XLR connector to ensure that the transmitter does not separate from the microphone while in use.

In addition, it incorporates a unique, multi-voltage phantom power feature that enables the transmitter to be used with virtually any microphone, including high-current condenser types—expanding the HM’s usefulness in high-end applications such as motion picture production.

The HM’s RF output circuit uses a one way circulator/isolator that greatly reduces the RF intermodulation produced when multiple transmitters are used in close proximity to one another.

Frequency response is rated at 40 Hz – 20 kHz ±1 dB, -3 dB at 35 Hz, while dynamic range is 125 dB (A). RF output is 100 mW.

Karl Winkler, Lectrosonics’ Director of Business Development, states, “The new HM transmitter is a logical extension to the line of Lectrosonics’ high performance wireless transmitter products. Incorporating our Digital Hybrid Wireless technology for superior audio performance, rugged build quality to ensure optimum performance under the most challenging conditions, and a rich feature set including an LCD display that dramatically enhances operational efficiency, I’m confident the new HM transmitter will receive a warm welcome by audio professionals involved in a wide range of wireless applications.”

Lectrosonics Website

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Yamaha M7CL Digital Console Chosen For Mickey Gilley Theatre In Branson

“The M7CL was able to replace all five of the analog consoles, not to mention all the outboard equipment." - Matthew Miles, Mickey Gilley Theatre House Engineer

The Mickey Gilley Theatre in Branson, Missouri, celebrating its 20th year as an entertainment venue, recently added a Yamaha M7CL digital audio console to mark the occasion.

Gilley, a legendary country performer who had nearly 40 songs at the top of the charts, built the 1,000-capacity theatre in 1989, where he hosts shows five nights each week. The venue has also welcomed many top entertainers over the years, including Les Brown Jr. and the Band of Renown, Bob Anderson, and Johnny Lee, to name a few. 

“The M7CL console has been absolutely amazing,” states Matthew Miles, front of house engineer. “At the time of purchase, our theatre in Branson offered four different shows a day, six days a week. I had been using two analog consoles for Mickey’s show along with a smaller 24-channel console as a sidecar at front of house for three other shows and as well as a fourth for monitors.”

The theatre also has a complete video department where every show is filmed and a fifth analog console with a sidecar was used for a separate video mix.

“The M7CL was able to replace all five of the analog consoles, not to mention all the outboard equipment,” explains Miles. “The audio quality is outstanding, and the ability to jump from show to show using a thumb drive is incredible. The console has been truly a dream come true for me.”

At the time of purchase, Miles states that he was looking at several other consoles but kept coming back to the Yamaha M7CL because of the features offered at its price point.

“This console is by far the best ‘bang for the buck’ out there,” he adds. “Mickey’s show is using all 48 input channels, 15 monitor mixes, left, center and right main outs, a matrix mix to video, and 32 tracks of direct out recording.

“I’m also using all internal effects and processors, with no outboard gear,” Miles mentions, adding that the console has been readied for the road to travel with Gilley on upcoming tour dates.

Yamaha Commercial Audio Website

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Sennheiser Pro Products Division Names Sonic Circus Dealer Of The Year

“I am impressed with the high level of professionalism, enthusiasm and success the Sonic Circus team possesses." - Jeff Alexander, Sennheiser Professional Products Division

The U.S. subsidiary of Sennheiser has named Sonic Circus, Inc. its 2008 “Dealer of the Year” for exemplary sales, customer support and comprehension of Sennheiser’s extensive line of professional products.

To express its thanks, Sennheiser Electronic Corporation will make a generous donation to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in the name of Sonic Circus. The donation will support children suffering from cancer and other devastating diseases.

“I am impressed with the high level of professionalism, enthusiasm and success the Sonic Circus team possesses,” said Jeff Alexander, vice president of sales and marketing for Sennheiser’s Professional Products Division. “I expect to see even further mutual growth and success in the future.”

For more than 10 years, Sonic Circus has provided audio solutions for recording and broadcast studios, live sound companies and independent engineers and producers. In addition to a wide selection of audio gear that includes over 250 lines of audio hardware and software and vintage recording equipment, Sonic Circus also offers technical design and support services.

Sennheiser Electronic Corporation has also named top dealers for its six other business categories. Those honored are: The Music People, Inc. (Sennheiser music industry business), Total Video Products, Inc. (Sennheiser installed sound business), Stereo Advantage, Inc. (Sennheiser consumer electronics business), Harris Communications, Inc. (Sennheiser audiology business), MyPilotStore.com (Sennheiser aviation business), and Computer Discount Warehouse (Sennheiser telecommunications business).

Additionally, Sennheiser Electronic Corporation has announced that Baycom, Inc. is the first-ever recipient of the Sennheiser Marketing Award. Baycom is an enthusiastic proponent of the Sennheiser Tourguide product line, and has a reputation for providing excellent service and support to both Sennheiser customers and its own patrons.

Sennheiser USA Website

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